Nagorno-Karabakh song & dance ensemble invited to foreign tours

The Nagorno-Karabakh song and dance ensemble "We and Our Mountains" has this year received concert invitations from the Armenian communities of Lebanon and Russia.

The ensemble’s artistic director, Gari Avanesyan, has talked of their upcoming concert programs in recent comments to Artsakhpress, the state news agency Armenpress reports.

“This year, we have an invitation from the Russian Federation, Lebanon and the regions of Armenia. Additionally we are planning 60-70 concerts,” he said, adding that they now have 29 male and female singers, musicians and dancers.

In 2014, the ensemble took part in an international song and dance festival in Vilnius, Lithuania (which had brought together participants from 18 countries).

“The key moment at the festival was that we were participating in it under the flag of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” Mr Avanesyan said, adding that their last year’s concert programs included tours to Russia, Iran, Lebanon, Georgia and Armenia.

The ensemble is this year preparing a big concert program to celebrate its 15th anniversary.